Reversing switch controlled by a safety lock having a cylindrical barrel

Abstract

A switch is disclosed which comprises a rockable switch actuating element having contacts and a fixed switch terminal means. The rockable element is moved by operation of a lock of which the rotor has an eccentric extension disposed within and cooperating with an opening in said rockable actuating member so that upon insertion of the key into the rotor and turning of that rotor, the actuating element is moved to effect switching.

I claim: 
     
       1. A switch comprising a lock, said lock having a stator, a cylindrical barrel rotatable within said stator about a first axis, an operating element integral with said barrel, said element extending parallel to and being offset from, said axis, a movable switch actuating element, switch contact means mounted on and movable with said actuating element, means mounting said switch actuating element for rocking movement about a second axis parallel to and offset from both said first axis and said operating element, said switch actuating element having an opening therein and said operating element always extending into that opening and coacting with marginal edges defining said opening during turning movement of said barrel to produce rocking movement of said switch actuating element, a fixed switch element, fixed switch terminal means mounted on said fixed switch element, said switch contact means of said actuating element cooperating with said terminal means, said second axis being disposed on one side of a diametral plane of said barrel normal to a plane including said first and second axes and said contact means and said terminal means being disposed on the opposite side of said diametral plane. 
     
     
       2. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch actuating element is electrically insulating and pivotally mounted on a fixed pin integral with the stator. 
     
     
       3. A switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises an electrically conducting rocker in the shape of a diabolo freely received in a recess in said actuating element and wherein spring biasing means are provided urging said rocker towards said terminal means. 
     
     
       4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spring biasing means comprises a spring disposed in said recess and a shoe located between said spring and said rocker, said shoe including a raised rib bearing against a reduced section neck of said diabolo shaped rocker. 
     
     
       5. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch contact means comprises a conducting element having enlarged end portions separated by a reduced sectioned neck portion, said element being freely received within a recess in said actuating element, said recess opening toward said terminal means, said end portions contacting said terminal means and means biasing said conducting element toward said terminal means. 
     
     
       6. A switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring disposed in said recess and a shoe located between said spring and the conducting element, said shoe engaging said neck portion of said conducting element. 
     
     
       7. A switch comprising a key operated lock having a stator and a cylindrical rotor turnable about a first axis in the stator by a key, a rod-like operating element movable with said rotor and offset from said first axis, a switching contact, means mounting said switching contact to said stator for rocking movement about a second axis parallel to said first axis and offset from both said first axis and said operating element, switch terminals fixed relative to said stator and disposed to be contacted by said switching contact during rocking motion of said contact to complete a circuit, said switching contact comprising an opening and said operating element always extending into said opening and cooperating with marginal edges defining said opening during turning movement of said rotor to impart rocking movement to said switching contact, said terminals being disposed on one side of a diametral plane of said rotor normal to a plane including said first and second axes and said second axis being disposed on the opposite side of said diametral plane. 
     
     
       8. A switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said rotor and with it said switching contact is resiliently biased to a rest position, said switching contact being isolated from said switch terminals in said rest position.